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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Three attendees stand around a memorial, which features a poster on the tree with a photo of Gracie Sasso-Cleveland and the words “We miss you Gracie.” (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Community mourns 15-year-old victim

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | May 9, 2023

DeKALB – Following the murder of Gracie Sasso-Cleveland, a 15-year-old DeKalb resident, community members and friends gathered on the 500 block of College Avenue to hold a vigil and share memories of her. The vigil took place during a light drizzle...

DeKalb police officers walking across a bridge on College Avenue. A 15-year-old girl was found dead on the 500 block of College Avenue. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Sex offender on parole charged with first degree murder of 15-year-old girl

By Northern Star Staff | May 7, 2023

Editor’s note: This piece was updated at 5:07 pm May 8 to reflect updates to the investigation. DeKALB – A convicted child sex offender Timothy Doll, on parole since April, has been charged in the murder of 15-year-old DeKalb High School student...

NIU crime log, April 2023

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | May 7, 2023

DeKALB – The information in this report is compiled from the NIU Police Department’s Daily Crime Log. Any case defined as “unfounded” was not included in this list. Any case “closed by exception” means the case is closed due to circumstances...

A side of a DeKalb police officer presenting the DeKalb Police Department badge. The DeKalb Police 2022 Annual Crime Report highlighted a decrease in violent crimes compared to 2021. (Northern Star File Photo)

DeKalb down on crime, up on traffic safety issues

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | May 4, 2023

DeKALB – The DeKalb Police Department issued its 2022 annual crime report, finding a decrease in violent crimes from 2021, whereas traffic safety issues have increased dramatically. The city saw an increase in traffic violations of almost 1,000 citations,...

DeKalb downtown welcomes a new wine and charcuterie restaurant Class VI, 214 E Lincoln Highway. The winery offers crafted cocktails and a wide variety of wine. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

New wine bar coming to DeKalb

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | May 3, 2023

DeKALB – DeKalb’s only wine bar and retail wine establishment will soon be opening in the downtown area. Class VI, 214 E. Lincoln Highway, will have classic cocktails, a big wine selection including International and California wines, and beer...

Cars drive on Peace Road Saturday near Bethany Road in 2014. The City of DeKalb plans to widen the road to four lanes and add a free-flow right turn lane by around the end of October.

Peace Road to be four-lane road

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | May 2, 2023

Correction: This piece has been updated to reflect that the construction will take place between I-88 and I-38 and that the four additional lanes will taper down to two lanes as it reaches Macom Drive. The construction will not be taking place between...

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood talks to a crowd in downtown DeKalb about why voting matters in contemporary elections in November, 2022. Underwood recently proposed $2.5 million in funding for Safe Passage to build a new shelter. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Proposed $2.5 million for Safe Passage would bring new shelter

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | April 30, 2023

Clarification: This headline was updated to better reflect that the money for the Safe Passage shelter is still a proposal and not guaranteed. DeKALB – As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, Rep. Lauren Underwood made a proposal to address...

A crowd of women smile at a presenter during the Emerging Women Leaders conference. State Rep. Jeff Keicher honored two local women for their service.(Courtesy of Rep. Jeff Keicher)

Rep. Keicher recognizes local leaders at Emerging Women Leadership event 

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | April 28, 2023

DeKALB – Local leaders Lesli Melendy, executive director of the Metro West Council of Government, and Jonelle Bailey, executive director of the Sycamore Park District, represented female leadership at the prestigious Emerging Women Leaders event with...

Exterior of Ellwood House Museum, a historic site in DeKalb. Ellwood House Museum is hosting two public events in May. (Photo courtesy of Ellwood House Museum)

Ellwood House Museum opens doors for summer events

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | April 28, 2023

DeKALB – Ellwood House Museum is opening its doors to two upcoming events, an Evening at Elcourt and Tea Party at Ellcourt. EVENING AT ELLCOURT 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 12 at 420 Linden Place, Ellwood House Association will be hosting Evening at Ellcourt. Evening...

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs talks to 16 NIU and DeKalb leaders during a round table discussion in 2015 in the Holmes Student Center Sky Room. Frerichs says one-in-four adults in Illinois have the ability to find unclaimed property through the I-Cash program.

I-Cash seeks to reunite $3.2 million with DeKalb residents

By Evan Mellon, News Reporter | April 27, 2023

DeKALB – DeKalb County residents might have unclaimed money in their name, and a program from the Illinois State Treasurer is looking to reunite millions to the residents they belong to. I-Cash is a program run by the office of Illinois State Treasurer...

A hammer and nails sitting on a tiled roof. Gov. J.B. Pritzker started a program in parts of Illinois that can provide funding for residential repairs.

Pritzker launches home repair accessibility program

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | April 26, 2023

DeKALB – Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office has provided $15.3 million in funding for a home repair and accessibility program called the Home Repair and Accessibility Program which aims at helping low-income homeowners. According to the Illinois Housing...

Students walking up stairs on their way to class. The rate of students leaving college with some credits but no degree has gone up 3.6% since 2022.

Student population with some college credits, no credentials grows

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | April 26, 2023

DeKALB – The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center announced Tuesday that the population of former university students with some credits but no degree is up by 3.6% since 2022. The report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center...